Striding Edge – A photo diary of Lake District fell walks Welcome to Striding Edge Striding Edge – a photo diary of Lake District fell walks Striding Edge is the photo diary of Sean McMahon’s fell walks, capturing the beauty and moods of the wonderful Cumbrian landscape. The site contains details of the Lake District’s 214 Wainwright fells and 541 Birkett fells as well as walking routes and guides. There are regularly updated photos and maps of walks with distances, timings, ascents and route descriptions. Each Wainwright and Birkett Lake District fell has its own information page which includes height details, fell grouping, accurate GPS co-ordinates and a summit photo. All walks described are provided in good faith, the maps and routes described here are not an indication of right of way, but an indication of general direction only. Any walk undertaken is done so at your own risk. Enjoy the spectacular views! The 2016 Advent Quiz answers and winner are here! Dave's Wild Camping » Helvellyn Lake District The peak of Helvellyn is the highest on the north-south ridge situated between the Thirlmere valley to the west, and Patterdale to the east.

This ridge continues north over Helvellyn Lower Man , White Side , Raise , Stybarrow Dodd , Great Dodd and Clough Head , and south leads to Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike . The eastern side of the fell is geographically the most dramatic. Two sharp arêtes lead off the summit, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, either side of Red Tarn . The knife-edged Striding Edge provides one of the best-known scrambles in Lakeland, while the Swirral Edge ridge leads to the conical summit of Catstycam . Nestling between the encircling arms of Helvellyn's two edges is Red Tarn . This pool is named for the colour of the surrounding screes rather than its water and contains brown trout and schelly, a fresh-water herring. The depth of Red Tarn is now about 80 feet (25m), although in the mid-19th century it was dammed with boulders to increase capacity. [1] This was carried out to provide additional water to the Greenside lead mine in Glenridding and the water race is still visible as it crosses the slope of Birkhouse Moor .

Helvellyn from Red Tarn A second tarn once existed in Brown Cove between Swirral Edge and Lower Man, but this now is reduced to a couple of small pools widening the stream. Brown Cove Tarn was another creation of the Greenside mine after a stone-faced dam was built around 1860. The dam is still in place, but water now leaks through the base and the extended tarn-bed is a smooth patch of luxuriant turf. A water leat passing beneath the north face of Catstycam to Red Tarn Beck can still be traced, although it is now in ruins. [1] [2] Water from Brown Cove and Red Tarn unites beyond Catstycam to form Glenridding Beck, flowing on through the village to Ullswater . The western slopes are relatively shallow and partially forested, with many gills leading down to the Thirlmere valley. A panoramic view of the ascent of Helvellyn with Striding Edge on the left, then a steep scramble to the summit followed by a scrambling descent via Swirrel Edge on the right, leading to Catstycam.

The summit, looking north-west The summit of Helvellyn takes the form of a broad plateau about 500 metres (1,640 ft) long. The highest point is marked by a cairn and a cross-shaped dry stone shelter; to the north is an Ordnance Survey [[trig point], slightly lower than the summit at 949 m (3,114 ft). There is a subsidiary top, Helvellyn Lower Man, about a third of a mile to the north-west. Its summit is small compared to the plateau of Helvellyn and offers better views north-westward, as the ground falls steeply away from it on this side. According to Ordnance Survey maps there is a bridleway along the full length of the Helvellyn range taking in a number of Wainwrights . This can be traversed by mountain bike and the usual route is South to North starting from Mill Bridge. This challenging six-hour circular route is 16 miles off road and 10 on road. Geologically, the summit area and Striding Edge are formed by the Deepdale formation of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group .

This consists of volcaniclastic sandstone with some intercalcated tuff , pebbley sandstone breccia , and lapilli -tuff. Underlying this is the Helvellyn formation of dacitic lapilli-tuff. [3] [ edit ] Striding Edge Striding Edge from Helvellyn Striding Edge is a classic scrambling route on Helvellyn, linking the summit ridge of Birkhouse Moor to Helvellyn's summit by what becomes a sharp arête . Striding Edge begins at Hole-in-the-Wall and then stretches for over a mile to the Helvellyn summit plateau. The initial part of the ridge is relatively rounded and has a good path running along the right hand side. This all changes upon reaching High Spying How, which at 863 m (2,831 ft) is the highest point on the ridge. At this point a narrow path continues closely to the top of the ridge which becomes increasingly narrow. Scramblers, however, will move to the top of the ridge and walk at the very top of the arête. The side path continues until near the end of the ridge where it switches over to the left hand side.

Scramblers are forced to descend a short gully down the last tower on the ridge. At this point the ridge joins to the main Helvellyn massif. All that remains is a walk or scramble up loose rocky terrain to reach the summit plateau around two hundred metres from the summit. Typically a cornice will form here in the winter and can represent the most dangerous part of the hike. Striding Edge is a notorious accident spot among hikers and scramblers. Conditions on the ridge in early 2008 were described as the worst in thirty years by fell top assessor Craig Palmer. In winter conditions the climb from Striding Edge up to the summit plateau can involve an icy traverse of a dangerous cornice . Without an ice axe or crampons this presents a serious obstacle. Two walkers died after falling from the ridge in separate incidents in the following weeks. [4] Another walker died after falling from Striding Edge in May 2008. [5] A 360 degree view from the middle of striding edge. Helvellyn is the highest summit just to the right of centre.

Red Tarn is on the right and Ullswater and the village of Glenridding are visible on the horizon along the far left corner [ edit ] Fell top assessors The Lake District national park authority has two 'Fell top assessors' who ascend Helvellyn daily during the winter months of December to March. [6] Their job is to check the weather conditions at the summit and write a report containing information such as temperature, windchill, windspeed, snowdepth, and any dangers such as unstable snow or avalanche hazard and icy footpaths. This report is put on the Weatherline, which is a Met Office mountain weather forecast and is available on the internet, by telephone and at local shops and tourist information centres. [7] This information is important for people who go out winter hillwalking and climbing as it can help them plan their routes and to get an idea of the mountain conditions. [ edit ] Camping on Helvellyn Because of the picturesque scenery that Helvellyn offers, many people camp on Helvellyn throughout the year. Many campers will set up camp around Red Tarn as this gives the best views of Striding Edge , Red Tarn, and the summit of Helvellyn itself.

The weather should be taken into consideration when deciding to camp on Helvellyn. The weather can change suddenly, mist is also a problem at times. Although wild camping often is tolerated in the upland areas of the Lake District, camping wild is not legal without the permission of the landowner. [8] No trace of the campsite should be left: this includes litter, ground disturbance, and human waste. Wordsworth on Helvellyn (1842) by Benjamin Robert Haydon Helvellyn is strongly associated with the poet William Wordsworth , who used to climb the mountain regularly. Benjamin Robert Haydon 's painting Wordsworth on Helvellyn epitomises Romanticism in portraiture. In a sonnet that celebrates both Wordsworth and Haydon, John Keats speaks of the former "on Helvellyn's summit, wide awake..." [9] Wordsworth wrote about the mountain several times. In particular he commemorated the death of the artist, Charles Gough , a tourist in the Lake District. Gough set out with his dog to cross Striding Edge to reach the peak of Helvellyn. He perished there and his dog stood at his side for three months before his corpse was found.

A plaque commemorating this event can be found close to the peak. The somewhat flat summit made the first British mountain-top landing of a plane possible, when John F. Leeming and Bert Hinkler successfully landed and took off again, in 1926. An academic, E.R. Dodds (1893–1979), Professor of Greek at the University of Birmingham, recorded the event, signing an old bill (receipt) to that effect, before they took off again. The event is marked by a slate which reads: "The first aeroplane to land on a mountain in Great Britain did so on this spot. On December 22nd 1926 John Leeming and Bert Hinkler in an AVRO 585 Gosport landed here and after a short stay flew back to Woodford". The western slopes bear witness to historic mining activity. Helvellyn (or Wythburn) mine operated from 1839 until 1880, after which the land was acquired for the Thirlmere reservoir scheme. Four levels can be found along the course of Mines Gill, from where lead was extracted. Despite the sizeable workings the venture was never a commercial success.

[2] My Title Third Highest Peak in England OS Grid NY342151 Helvellyn, (“Yellow Upland” in Cambric) is the third highest mountain in the Lake District. It is the most famous and most climbed and walked of all the Lakeland fells and is the ideal place to experience the majesty of the area. As Wainwright says “legend and poetry, a lovely name and a lofty altitude combine to encompass Helvellyn in an aura of romance; and thousands of pilgrims, aided by its easy accessibility, are attracted to its summit every year” (Pictorial Guide to the Lakeland Fells - Book One - The Eastern Fells). The eastern aspect is by far the most picturesque and dramatic, with the summit encircled by Striding Edge and Swirral Edge. Striding Edge is one of the most popular ridge walks in the Lakes, although there is a lower path for those who prefer (recommended in high wind and the wet!). Swirral Edge also provides a dramatic ascent or descent, and leads to Catstyecam.

The summit of Helvellyn is remarkably flat (helped by some Victorian workmen), so flat indeed that in 1926 John Leeming and Bert Hinkler landed a plane on it (and took off again!). This is marked by one of three memorials in the area. The other on the summit commemorates Charles Gough, immortalised by William Wordsworth. Gough died attempting to cross Striding Edge to reach the summit in 1805, and his faithful dog stayed by his body for 3 months until both were discovered. The final memorial is perched incongruously on Striding Edge and commemorates the spot where the unfortunate Mr Dixon plunged off Striding Edge while running with the Ullswater hounds in 1858. In the natural hollow bordered on three sides by Helvellyn, Striding and Swirral edges lies Red Tarn, which contrary to its name is a splendidly clear glacial pool which looks like an inviting plunge pool from the top in the summer but regularly freezes over in the winter months. Water from the tarn was used to power Greenside mines above Glenridding. People often asks “who owns Helvellyn”.

Well according to the Lake District National Park, the land which covers the western side of Helvellyn leading down to Thirlmere is owned by United Utilities and the land on the eastern side of Helvellyn is owned by the Lake District National Park Authority. So now you know! It’s a fantastic place and if you’ve never been you should go soon, and if you have been, it’s time to go back! “Striding Edge and Helvellyn” - Review of Lakeland Mountain Guides, Dearham, England - TripAdvisor Review of Lakeland Mountain Guides 111 Main Street, Dearham CA15 7HU, England +44 1900 336795 Attraction details Recommended length of visit: More than 3 hours Owner description: A professional activity provider operating UK Wide, offering Guided Walks, Challenge Events, Skills Courses, Rock Climbing, Abseiling and much more! Fully qualified, insured, first aid trained and experienced leaders are used to offer the safest and best experiences.

There are newer reviews for this attraction ““Striding Edge and Helvellyn”” Reviewed September 15, 2014 I've been fortunate to have previously walked with Matt on a freebie through the Keswick Boot Company, so when I set myself the challenge to do the notorious 'Striding Edge' I knew there was no safer hands to be in! I am terrified of heights but since moving to the Lake District this fear has really hindered my love of walking the Wainwrights. So I set myself the challenge of this ridge and contacted The Lakeland Mountain Guides, straight away he set me at ease with talking through my options with this walk. On the day I was very apprehensive not only for myself but I had brought my 11 year old son for the experience (who isn't frightened of height) Matt set me at ease straight away and was very patient throughout the duration of this walk. Consequently, I completed the walk successfully and what a blast! At one point I felt so confident I actually stood on the exposed ridge and took photos! So thank you Lakeland Mountain Guides and in particular Matt, for helping me achieve my challenge but also give me the confidence to explore more of the Lakes.

Visited September 2014 “Striding Edge and Helvellyn” Reviewed July 28, 2014 Thank you so much Matt for your easy going, friendly and patient team leading on our trip to Helvellyn. It was our first experience in mountain walking. Doing "The Striding Edge" was an achievement that both my daughter and I shall never forget. The team worked well together. Ample breaks during walk provided the team to share a laugh (Matt the Grand Old Duke of York - was one of them) which made the seven hours seem like a short walk (only after it was over!). I learnt a lot about mountain walking in these seven hours from each member of the team and I even learnt about my own self. Having Lexi, the dog, with us was great fun. Visited July 2014 Striding Edge - Lake District, Countryside and Historical Videos and DVDs, Fellwalking and Hiking Interest in Alfred Wainwright has soared over recent years, and it shows little sign of abating. Emily Rodway of TGO Magazine met up with Eric Robson, Chairman of both the Wainwright Society and Cumbria Tourism, to discuss the ongoing appeal of AW...

[ interview ] Annette Whatever your particular interest, as ever you’re guaranteed impeccable Striding Edge service and Annette Robson (pictured right) is on hand to sort out any queries you may have. Just ring her on 0800 027 25 27 and as always you can order by phone, by post or on line. to be informed of new titles as they become available. As ever, if you’ve any queries or suggestions just ring Annette on 0800 027 25 27. or email . Testimonials “Just want to say thanks for the great service. We received the Dorrigo map today. You will be recommended!” Mike from Alnwick “Wonderful, just wonderful. Nobody does Lakeland like Striding Edge. Thank you.” David from St. Neots “With thanks for helping me to virtually explore the splendours of the The Lake District and beyond.” Larry B from California “Beautiful MunrOverground map just arrived, in time for me to get to Inverness to have it framed for my husband’s birthday. Many, many thanks for your excellent service and personal attention.

With very best wishes.” Erica M “Thanks very much – my order arrived, as promised, today – and I’m delighted. Thank you for your excellent customer service.” Michael “Hope to order again from you soon. The service is very personal and your level of communication great at all times. Thanks again.” Simon and Clare “Our parcel arrived yesterday and I just wanted to let you know how delighted we are with the items we ordered. Thanks again I am sure we will be ordering again in the future.” Barbara Wainwright's Coast to Coast Helvellyn : definition of Helvellyn and synonyms of Helvellyn (English) 6 External links Topography The peak of Helvellyn is the highest on the north-south ridge situated between the Thirlmere valley to the west, and Patterdale to the east. This ridge continues north over Helvellyn Lower Man , White Side , Raise , Stybarrow Dodd , Great Dodd and Clough Head , and south leads to Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike . The eastern side of the fell is geographically the most dramatic. Two sharp arêtes lead off the summit, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, either side of Red Tarn .

The knife-edged Striding Edge provides one of the best-known scrambles in Lakeland, while the Swirral Edge ridge leads to the conical summit of Catstycam . Nestling between the encircling arms of Helvellyn's two edges, is Red Tarn . This pool is named for the colour of the surrounding screes rather than its water, and contains brown trout and schelly, a fresh-water herring. The depth of Red Tarn is now about 80 feet (25m), although in the mid-19th century it was dammed with boulders to increase capacity. [1] This was carried out to provide additional water to the Greenside lead mine in Glenridding, the water race still visible as it crosses the slope of Birkhouse Moor . Helvellyn from Red Tarn A second tarn once existed in Brown Cove between Swirral Edge and Lower Man, but this now is reduced to a couple of small pools widening the stream. Brown Cove Tarn was another creation of the Greenside mine, a stone-faced dam being built in about 1860.

The dam is still in place, but water now leaks through the base, the extended tarn-bed a smooth patch of luxuriant turf. A water leat passing beneath the north face of Catstycam to Red Tarn Beck can still be traced, although it is now in ruins. [1] [2] Water from Brown Cove and Red Tarn unites at the beyond Catstycam to form Glenridding Beck, flowing on through the village to Ullswater . The western slopes are relatively shallow, and partially forested, with many gills leading down to the Thirlmere valley. A panoramic view of the ascent of Helvellyn with Striding Edge on the left, then a steep scramble to the summit followed by a scrambling descent via Swirrel Edge on the right, leading to Catstycam. The summit, looking north-west The summit of Helvellyn takes the form of a broad plateau about 500 metres (1,640 ft) long. The highest point is marked by a cairn and a cross-shaped dry stone shelter; to the north is an Ordnance Survey trig point , a little lower than the summit at 949 m (3,114 ft).

There is a subsidiary top, Helvellyn Lower Man, about a third of a mile to the north-west. Its summit is small compared to the plateau of Helvellyn and offers better views north-westward, as the ground falls steeply away from it on this side. According to Ordnance Survey maps there is a bridleway along the full length of the Helvellyn range taking in a number of Wainwrights . This can be traversed by mountain bike and the usual route is South to North starting from Mill Bridge. This challenging six-hour circular route is 16 miles off road and 10 on road. Geologically, the summit area and Striding Edge are formed by the Deepdale formation of the Borrowdale Volcanic Group . This consists of volcaniclastic sandstone with some intercalcated tuff , pebbley sandstone breccia , and lapilli -tuff. Underlying this is the Helvellyn formation of dacitic lapilli-tuff. [3] Striding Edge Striding Edge from Helvellyn Striding Edge is a classic scrambling route on Helvellyn, linking the summit ridge of Birkhouse Moor to Helvellyn's summit by what becomes a sharp arête .

Striding Edge begins at Hole-in-the-Wall and then stretches for over a mile to the Helvellyn summit plateau. The initial part of the ridge is relatively rounded and has a good path running along the right hand side. This all changes upon reaching High Spying How, which at 863 m (2,831 ft) is the highest point on the ridge. At this point a narrow path continues closely to the top of the ridge which becomes increasingly narrow. Scramblers, however, will move to the top of the ridge and walk at the very top of the arête. The side path continues until near the end of the ridge where it switches over to the left hand side. Scramblers are forced to descend a short gully down the last tower on the ridge. At this point the ridge joins to the main Helvellyn massif. All that remains is a walk or scramble up loose rocky terrain to reach the summit plateau around two hundred metres from the summit. Typically a cornice will form here in the winter and can represent the most dangerous part of the hike. Striding Edge is a notorious accident spot among hikers and scramblers.

Conditions on the ridge in early 2008 were described as the worst in thirty years by fell top assessor Craig Palmer. In winter conditions the climb from Striding Edge up to the summit plateau can involve an icy traverse of a dangerous cornice . Without an ice axe or crampons this presents a serious obstacle. Two walkers died after falling from the ridge in separate incidents in the following weeks. [4] Another walker died after falling from Striding Edge in May 2008. [5] A 360 degree view from the middle of striding edge. Helvellyn is the highest summit just to the right of centre. Red Tarn is on the right and Ullswater and the village of Glenridding are visible on the horizon along the far left corner Fell top assessors The Lake District national park authority has two 'Fell top assessors' who ascend Helvellyn daily during the winter months of December to March. [6] Their job is to check the weather conditions at the summit and write a report containing information such as temperature, windchill, windspeed, snowdepth, and any dangers such as unstable snow or avalanche hazard and icy footpaths.

This report is put on the Weatherline, which is a Met Office mountain weather forecast and is available on the internet, by telephone and at local shops and tourist information centres. [7] This information is important for people who go out winter hillwalking and climbing as it can help them plan their routes and to get an idea of the mountain conditions. Camping on Helvellyn Because of the picturesque scenery that Helvellyn offers, many people camp on Helvellyn throughout the year. Many campers will set up camp around Red Tarn as this gives the best views of Striding Edge , Red Tarn, and the summit of Helvellyn itself. The weather should be taken into consideration when deciding to camp on Helvellyn. The weather can change suddenly, mist is also a problem at times. Although wild camping often is tolerated in the upland areas of the Lake District, camping wild is not legal without the permission of the landowner. [8] No trace of the campsite should be left: this includes litter, ground disturbance, and human waste. History Wordsworth on Helvellyn (1842) by Benjamin Robert Haydon Helvellyn is strongly associated with the poet William Wordsworth , who used to climb the mountain regularly.

Benjamin Robert Haydon 's painting Wordsworth on Helvellyn epitomises Romanticism in portraiture. In a sonnet that celebrates both Wordsworth and Haydon, John Keats speaks of the former "on Helvellyn's summit, wide awake..." [9] Wordsworth wrote about the mountain several times. In particular he commemorated the death of the artist, Charles Gough , a tourist in the Lake District. Gough set out with his dog to cross Striding Edge to reach the peak of Helvellyn. He perished there and his dog stood at his side for three months before his corpse was found. A plaque commemorating this event can be found close to the peak. The somewhat flat summit made the first British mountain-top landing of a plane possible, when John F. Leeming and Bert Hinkler successfully landed and took off again, in 1926. An academic, E.R. Dodds (1893–1979), Professor of Greek at the University of Birmingham, recorded the event, signing an old bill (receipt) to that effect, before they took off again.

The event is marked by a slate which reads: "The first aeroplane to land on a mountain in Great Britain did so on this spot. On December 22nd 1926 John Leeming and Bert Hinkler in an AVRO 585 Gosport landed here and after a short stay flew back to Woodford". The western slopes bear witness to historic mining activity. Helvellyn (or Wythburn) mine operated from 1839 until 1880, after which the land was acquired for the Thirlmere reservoir scheme. Four levels can be found along the course of Mines Gill, from where lead was extracted. Despite the sizeable workings the venture was never a commercial success. [2] References Britain's Mountain Challenges: Striding Edge - YouTube Britain's Mountain Challenges: Striding Edge Want to watch this again later? Sign in to add this video to a playlist. Need to report the video? Sign in to report inappropriate content. Rating is available when the video has been rented. This feature is not available right now. Please try again later. Published on Jan 28, 2015 Trail magazine and the British Mountaineering Council present Britain's Mountain Challenges.

In this video we're looking at Striding Edge: one of the finest ridges in the whole of the Lake District. Leading onto the summit of Helvellyn, at 950m the park's third highest mountain, it's a dramatically positioned and excitingly slender route of huge appeal to walkers and scramblers throughout the year. As with all ridges it becomes extremely challenging in strong winds or when there's ice or snow underfoot (so make sure to pick conditions suitable to your level of experience!), but when conditions are right it can offer a truly exceptional mountain experience. Striding Edge can without doubt be described as a Lakeland classic – one that every lover of the Cumbrian fells should experience in their walking career. Look out for other videos in the 'Britain's Mountain Challenges' series featuring some of the UK's finest and most thrilling mountain landscapes. Category Helvellyn : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost Helvellyn, (“Yellow Upland” in Cambric) is the third highest mountain in the Lake District. It is the most famous and most climbed and walked of all the Lakeland fells. Helvellyn especialy holds a place of honour in my list of mountains.

It is one of the higher hills, yes it has lots of features, and yes it is a beautiful mountain, especialy seen from the eastern aspect. But the main reason for me, is that it was my first. It was the place that truly started my ambition to get high. Not on drugs, but on mountains. On a frosty day during a cottage holiday, I went on a walk with two friends. I didnt pay much if any attention to the detail on the map (yes I had one) I just looked and set off on a circular route. It turned out to be a fantastic discovery. A grand mountain with unexpected features and challenges. It also was a frosty clear day ending with a red sunset and a temp inversion. My day ended coming down Swirral edge at dusk, with the peaks poking through a layer of soft cloud illuminated by the setting red sun.........I loved it and now the mountain constantly draws me back, for a scramble over one of its crags, striding edge, or a winter gully climb. The peak of Helvellyn is the highest on the north-south ridge situated between the Thirlmere valley to the west, and Patterdale to the east.

This ridge continues north over Helvellyn Lower Man, White Side, Raise, Stybarrow Dodd, Great Dodd and Clough Head, and south leads to Nethermost Pike and Dollywaggon Pike. The eastern side of the fell is geographically the most dramatic. Two sharp arêtes lead off the summit, Striding Edge and Swirral Edge, either side of Red Tarn. The knife-edged Striding Edge provides one of the best-known scrambles in Lakeland, while the Swirral Edge ridge leads to the conical summit of Catstye Cam. Nestling between the encircling arms of Helvellyn's two edges, is Red Tarn. This pool is named for the colour of the surrounding screes rather than its water, and contains brown trout and schelly, a fresh-water herring. The depth of Red Tarn is now about 80 ft, although in the mid 1800s it was dammed with boulders to increase capacity. This was carried out to provide additional water to the Greenside lead mine in Glenridding, the water race still visible as it crosses the slope of Birkhouse Moor. The western slopes bear witness to historic mining activity.

Helvellyn (or Wythburn) mine operated from 1839 until 1880, when the land was acquired for the Thirlmere reservoir scheme. Four levels can be found along the course of Mines Gill, from where lead was extracted. Despite the sizeable workings the venture was never a commercial success. The western slopes are relatively shallow, and partially forested, with many gills leading down to the Thirlmere valley. The Helvellyn Range...................... Below is a view from the south on St Sunday crag. It looks accross the front (East side of the range, from Dolywagon Pike, Nethermost and to helvellyn). You can see the ridge from Striding edge just visible on the far right skyline. There are two sides to approach the mountain from normally. Depending on the route you want to take. Either make your way to the West or East side of the mountain. The West side You need to get to thirlmere. On the A591 South from Keswick, North from Ambleside. There is a carpark about half way along the lake at Swirls. There is a toilet.

Or less interesting but shorter, Wythburn near Nethermost Pikes rear end. The East Side At the southern end of Ulswater on the A592. You can pick a route from either Glenridding (normally) or Patterdale village. There is parking at Either although it can get very busy, so you may have to be flexable in your choice. Camping Wild Camping is often done up by Red Tarn as it is more sheltered and provides a secluded and beautiful camping spot. But remember to take away any sign of your being there. Walking Route examples There is a wide range of routes on the Helvelyn range. It is therefore easy to find one tailored to your needs and desires. It is worth looking at some of the fantastic websites to get an idea of the terrain and sistances. Some of them are listed below. I have been up Helvellyn many times. It is worth the time to look at different routes. The normal classic way to start is of course up from Patterdale, to hole in the wall. Go along striding edge up onto the top, down Swirral and back along the hill, maybe taking in Catsye cam on your way to the car.

But the range has so much more. Try going around from Grisdale tarn and once up onto Dolywagon following the tops all the way along to Swirral again. There are also scrambles to be had on Eagle crag and Nethermost Pike, as well as the Striding edge classic. So take a long look and try something. There are a few examples below.

Walk route 1: Swirls - Browncove Crags path - Helvellyn - Browncove Crags path - Swirls Distance: 4.75 miles Ascent: 2,540ft Time: 3 hours 20 minutes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walk route 2: Patterdale - Grisedale - Ruthwaite Lodge - Ruthwaite Cove - Hard Tarn - east ridge - Nethermost Pike - Helvellyn - Swirral Edge - Catstycam - Red Tarn (Helvellyn) - Birkhouse Moor - Lanty's Tarn - Grisedale - Patterdale Distance: 10.50 miles Ascent: 3,300ft Time: 6 hours 30 minutes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walk route 3: Swirls - Browncove Crags path - Helvellyn - Helvellyn Lower Man - White Side - Raise - Sticks Pass - Stybarrow Dodd - Watson's Dodd - Great Dodd - Calfhow Pike - Clough Head - Threlkeld Knotts - Hilltop Quarries - Wanthwaite Distance: 10.75 miles Ascent: 4,000

ft Time: 6 hours 45 minutes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walk route 4: Wythburn - Whelpside Gill - Brownrigg Well - Helvellyn - Swallow Scarth - Nethermost Pike - Dollywaggon Pike - the head of Raise Beck - Seat Sandal - Dunmail Raise - Wythburn Distance: 7.00 miles Ascent: 3,450ft Time: 5 hours 15 minutes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Walk route 5: Glenridding - Lanty's Tarn - Grisedale - Grisedale Tarn - Dollywaggon Pike - High Crag, Grisedale - Nethermost Pike - Helvellyn - Helvellyn Lower Man - White Side - Raise - Sticks Pass - Sticks Gill - Greenside Mine - Greenside Road - Glenridding Distance: 13.00 miles Ascent: 3,450ft Time: 5 hours 5 minutes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- -recomended--recomended--recomended--recomended--recomended--recomended- Walk route 6: Glenridding - Mires Beck path - Birkhouse Moor - Hole-in-the-Wall

 - High Spying How - Striding Edge - Helvellyn - Swirral Edge - Catstycam - Red Tarn (Helvellyn) - Red Tarn Beck path - Glenridding valley - Glenridding Distance: 9.25 miles Ascent: 3,020ft Time: 5 hours 20 minutes -recomended--recomended--recomended--recomended--recomended--recomended- for theese and many other walks, go to for info and pictures.

Sun or snow The great thing about so called small mountains, is the ability to go for a long stroll in the sun with the family one month, and have a challenging winters day another..........sometimes the same month! Helvellyn sits in a location that seems to guarentee that if the lakes has snow, then it will be the best. Below are three pictures. the first (1) of striding edge and Helvellyn. If you look way to the left of the ridge in the shadows you can see a gully to the top &(1a)another winter view accross the East side from the top of Swirral edge to Striding Edge.... Swallow or Nethermost gully a low grade snow climb pictured (2). Picture (3 below) is on the West side of the mountain on Brown Cove Crag. In a easy gully. Fantastic place in all seasons. But dont forget to check the weather forecast, and of course be prepared! East Corniced edge from Swirral to Striding Edge(1a) The West side of the mountain, Via Brown Cove Crag Central gully feb 09 There are two main places to start on the west side of the mountain.

The most common and best is from Swirls car park (with toilet!). The path leaved the carpark and zig zags up towards the crag. Before Brown Cove Crag is reached there is the option to go below (left) or over the crag (right). This is the normal option. But If you have any intention of a scramble, or a winter climb, dont hesitate to try the delights of this crag. It is an ideal preamble to the summit of Helvelyn. Or indeed even a location good enough to be your main destination on winter days. Brown Cove Crags feb 09 Paralell Gullys (left of main Butress) Brown Cove Crag, Right Paralell Gully(3) Weather and External Links The Lake District national park authority has two 'Fell top assessors' who ascend Helvellyn daily during the winter months of December to March. Their job is to check the weather conditions at the summit and write a report containing information such as temperature, windchill, windspeed, snowdepth, and any dangers such as unstable snow/avalanche hazard and icy footpaths.

This report is put on the Weatherline, which is a Met Office mountain weather forecast and is available on the internet, by telephone and at local shops and tourist information centres. This information is important for people that go out winter hillwalking and climbing as it can help them plan their routes and to get an idea of the mountain conditions --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Helvellyn Website. Containing area info, shopping,walks, pictures,places to stay and more...... ---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Question: Striding Edge is a ridge leading to which Lakeland mountain?
Answer: HELVELLYN